8 Days / 7 Nights – Departure and Arrival in Tirana
Day 1 – Arrival in Tirana and Orientation Tour
Upon arrival in Tirana, meet your guide based on your arrival time. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy an orientation tour of the city center: Skanderbeg Square, the National Library, the National History Museum, and the Pyramid (originally built as a museum for Enver Hoxha).
The tour includes a stop in front of the dictator’s house, located in the Blloku neighborhood, an area once reserved exclusively for the communist elite.
Free afternoon for rest or accommodation.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight stay: Tirana
Day 2 – The Cold War and Panoramic View of Tirana
The day is dedicated to the history of the Cold War and its consequences for the regime. Visit the Art 1 Castle, an underground refuge built for the political leadership in the event of a nuclear war. The exhibition details the structures of control, political repression, and life under the regime.
Then, ascend Mount Dajti by cable car for a panoramic lunch at a restaurant overlooking the city.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore or visit the themed café “Komiteti – Kafe Muze,” which displays authentic artifacts from the communist era.
Meals included: Lunch at Mount Dajti
Overnight stay: Tirana
Day 3 – Durrës: Remembrance of the Regime and Ancient Heritage
After breakfast, depart for Durrës, one of the oldest cities in Albania with a history spanning over 2,500 years. The city was also an important strategic center during the communist regime.
Visit a private museum that preserves artifacts and documents from the dictatorship period. Then, explore the Roman Amphitheater, one of the largest in the Balkans.
Lunch will be enjoyed in the city, followed by free time for a stroll along the coast or to explore the old town.
Meals included: Lunch in Durrës
Overnight: Durrës
Day 4 – Apollonia and Tepelena: From Antiquity to the Internment Camps
In the morning, visit the archaeological site of Apollonia, an Illyrian-Roman city founded in the 6th century BC, with remains of monuments such as the Temple, the Agora, and the Library.
Continue to Tepelena, stopping at the communist internment camp, a symbol of political oppression in Albania. Visit Tepelena Castle, which offers spectacular views of the Vjosa River valley.
Arrive in Gjirokastër and check into your hotel.
Meals included: Dinner in Gjirokastër
Overnight: Gjirokastër
Day 5 – Gjirokastër and Përmet – The City of Stone and Polyphony
The day begins with a visit to Gjirokastër Castle, home to one of the main prisons of the communist regime. Then, explore the Cold War Tunnel, an underground structure built as a refuge in the event of conflict.
The group will also watch a documentary on polyphonic music, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site.
Visit the ethnographic museum in the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, which showcases traditional life in Gjirokastër.
In the afternoon, depart for Përmet, a city known for its hospitality and traditional cuisine. Dinner and overnight stay.
Meals included: Dinner in Permet
Overnight stay: Permet
Day 6 – Korça: Serenades and Communist Industry
After breakfast, depart for Korça, a city famous for its culture, bazaar, and traditional serenades. Visit the Korça Brewery, active since the early 1900s and expanded during the communist era.
Lunch near the brewery, where you can enjoy traditional dishes and local beer.
In the afternoon, free time to stroll through the Old Bazaar of Korça, with its distinctive architecture.
Meals included: Lunch in Korça
Overnight stay: Korça
Day 7 – Pogradec, Elbasan, and closing dinner in Tirana
Depart for Pogradec, a city located on the shores of Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in Europe. Visit Drilon Park and Enver Hoxha’s vacation home, built during the regime for the political elite.
Next, transfer to Elbasan for an overview of the city and a stop on a stretch of the ancient Via Egnatia, which connected Rome to Constantinople.
Arrive in Tirana in the evening for a closing dinner at a traditional restaurant, with live music to reflect on the trip and share impressions with the group.
Meals included: Closing dinner in Tirana
Overnight stay: Tirana
Day 8 – End of tour and departure
After breakfast, transfer arranged according to departure times.
End of tour.
Included in the Price
- 7 nights’ accommodations in a high-quality hotel (3, 4, or 5 stars, depending on your choice)
- Documentary film on polyphony in Gjirokastër
- Ticket for the Dajti cable car and all entrance fees as per the itinerary
- 7 meals included: 4 dinners (Tirana, Gjirokastër, Përmet, closing dinner in Tirana) and 3 lunches (Dajti, Durrës, Korça)
- Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour
- Specialized guide on the history of communism in the language of your choice
Not Included
- Airline tickets or other expenses not mentioned in the program
- Personal expenses and drinks outside the package
Price
The price and detailed description of this tour vary depending on the season and preferred accommodation level. Contact us for a personalized quote.
